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2003 Infinit M45 Randomly Won't Start...

This has been going on for a few years now. Car has 83,000 miles. I replaced the battery October 2015 and just checked the voltage and it has 12.8, so I don't think it's the battery. Doesn't happen all the time, but when it does... I turn the key and I get a click, nothing else...I may have to do this a few (3 to 4) times...eventually it will start/fire right up, but my concern is sooner or later it won't start at all. Could it be the starter? Just seems if it was the starter it would have stopped working by now. Frustrating because it's not consistent, can go days/weeks without doing it. Does anyone else have this issue? I searching and found similar issues, but nothing exact. Appreciate your help.

Sounds more like corrosion on a connection or ground somewhere, or one that's loose !

When it doesn't start do the other electrical things work (windows, lights, radio etc.) ?

I checked the cables at the battery and where they go, they seem ok. When it starts, everything works fine, no issues. When it doesn't start, it clicks and nothing happens (no dash lights, etc). It's been doing this for over 2 years because that's the reason I replaced the battery in October 2015. Can't say it's gotten worse, but my concern it just not staring at all.

My guess would be a bad relay, or maybe even a bad module. Both these things can do what you describe - work sometimes and not work others.

I don't know if there's some kind of test that will smoke it out, but at some point you know it will crap out and not start any longer, so I think I'd talk to an Infiniti dealer about it.

The problem with taking it to the dealer is it doesn't do it when I want it to, so I get the "We can't replicate it" response. Ha. The starter relay seems easy (and cheap enough) to replace as a process of eliminate. What exactly is the module or is there a specific module you are referring to? I've seen an ignition starter switch that isn't too expensive either.

Seems like your are looking for opinions. Mine is the starter is likely bad. Your battery test doesn't matter. You have no idea what it does with a load. I would recommend taking your car to a real mechanic. Most older cars with "relays" have those attached to the starter as part of an assembly. Not sure on the M. Some can be changed, some not. Car dealer mechanics don't deal with older car issues as much as in the past. So again find a good old-school mechanic and end your day smiling with slightly less money.

The problem with taking it to the dealer is it doesn't do it when I want it to, so I get the "We can't replicate it" response. Ha. The starter relay seems easy (and cheap enough) to replace as a process of eliminate. What exactly is the module or is there a specific module you are referring to? I've seen an ignition starter switch that isn't too expensive either.

I stopped being a shade tree mechanic when everything went digital and electronic. lol. But my understanding is that when you push the start button, it doesn't send power directly to the starter. Instead, the power goes first to a "module", such as the Power Control Module (PCM), or in some cars even the Body Control Module (BCM). They're part of the "brain" that controls all the various complicated functions baked into modern cars. These modules aren't user-serviceable, and just get replaced when they go bad.

Here's a short story:

My wife had a Cadillac a few years ago that did the exact same thing as yours. Couldn't get it to do it when the dealer had it. So we take it on a trip from Texas to California with her mother and dad, and it eventually strands us in the desert. Deader than a doornail. I was able to get Cadillac on OnStar, but they were hours away from getting us help. I kept fiddling with it, though, and it finally started after two hours. I didn't shut it off until we got home.

Back home, I took it straight to the dealer and told them the car put us in danger, and I wasn't going to leave until they fixed it. I also told them I thought it was probably the PCM. They swapped out the PCM and Bingo! the car started right up.

Morale of the story - you may have to wait until it craps out to find the problem.

If someone blows up a school with a bomb they go after the bomber ... if someone shoots up a school they go after the gun.

A privilege is just a right that has been taken away by government.

Political correctness is cowardice wrapped in a lie.
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I stopped being a shade tree mechanic when everything went digital and electronic. lol. But my understanding is that when you push the start button, it doesn't send power directly to the starter. Instead, the power goes first to a "module", such as the Power Control Module (PCM), or in some cars even the Body Control Module (BCM). They're part of the "brain" that controls all the various complicated functions baked into modern cars. These modules aren't user-serviceable, and just get replaced when they go bad.

Here's a short story:

My wife had a Cadillac a few years ago that did the exact same thing as yours. Couldn't get it to do it when the dealer had it. So we take it on a trip from Texas to California with her mother and dad, and it eventually strands us in the desert. Deader than a doornail. I was able to get Cadillac on OnStar, but they were hours away from getting us help. I kept fiddling with it, though, and it finally started after two hours. I didn't shut it off until we got home.

Back home, I took it straight to the dealer and told them the car put us in danger, and I wasn't going to leave until they fixed it. I also told them I thought it was probably the PCM. They swapped out the PCM and Bingo! the car started right up.

Morale of the story - you may have to wait until it craps out to find the problem.

Yeah, might just have to wait until whatever it is completely fails, at this point we'll keep driving it until it won't start at all. The 03 M has the key fob that inserts in the dash and turns like a key. I remember reading somewhere that it could be the key fob battery, so I replaced it...I'm not holding my breath.

Similiar on 2003 Q45

Originally Posted by AEConfidential

Yeah, might just have to wait until whatever it is completely fails, at this point we'll keep driving it until it won't start at all. The 03 M has the key fob that inserts in the dash and turns like a key. I remember reading somewhere that it could be the key fob battery, so I replaced it...I'm not holding my breath.

Interesting I am starting to have a similar issue. It seems to be worse when its cold outside or the car has sat for a while (many days). I replaced the battery but the problem didn't go away. I would say about every 5th attempt to start the car it requires a second turn of the key and then starts right up. Mechanic friend says it may be the fuel line not holding pressure. Let me know if you have found out what it is and I will do the same if I ever find out what is causing it.